Winemaker Notes
This deep and dense garnet-hued wine opens with macerated blackberry aromas intertwined with freshly baked graham cracker crust. Layers of complexity unfold with the addition of cocoa nibs, hibiscus tea, hints of poppy seed and an underlying presence of graphite, adding depth and sophistication. On the palate, bright and refreshing notes of sour cherry and juicy raspberry take center stage, accompanied by the depth of black currant. The inclusion of rhubarb introduces a subtle tartness that complements the sweetness of the fruit and paprika notes add a nuanced spiciness to the overall character. The tannins, initially robust, gradually melt away, leaving behind a velvety texture and finish.
The 40th vintage of Groth's Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to their co-founder, Judith Mae Groth. Judy's influence on the style of Groth wines, the design of their winery and labels, their approach to hospitality and their exacting code of conduct cannot be overestimated.
Blend: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Rich and luscious aromas of ripe plums and blackberries sprinkled with baking spices carry into flavorful black fruits layered with oak spices. Fine-grained tannins coat the mouth, balanced by juicy acidity that freshens the palate through a long finish. Impressive persistence.
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James Suckling
Ripe blackberries, sweet spices, crushed walnuts, cedar and wet stones. Some iodine, too. Full-bodied, firm and structured with chalky texture to the tannins and juicy acidity. Polished and even. Better after 2025.
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Wine Spectator
Solidly ripe and plush in feel, offering caressing flavors of blackberry and black currant compote laced with loam and sweet tobacco notes, plus a flash of menthol. Generous through the finish, with the structure nicely melded into the fruit. Oakville 101. Best from 2025 through 2035.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the reds, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is deep purple-hued, with solid aromatics of ripe black fruits, tobacco, pen ink, and graphite. It's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, fine tannins, and outstanding length. A classic, fresher, solid Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it will evolve for 10-12+ years if well stored. It has lots to love.
Groth Vineyards & Winery is a family-owned company with deep roots in the Oakville AVA,
home to Napa Valley’s largest concentration of top Cabernet Sauvignon producers.
Dennis and Judy Groth made a life-changing investment in 1981 when they bought a vineyard on Oakville Cross Road, in the heart of Napa Valley, with hopes it would produce wines as special as their favorites from the region. It didn’t take long for their intuition to be proven right. Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate gave the Groth 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon the distinction of being California’s first 100-point wine.
Today, with Dennis and Judy’s daughter, Suzanne Groth, as President & CEO, Groth sustainably farms 165 acres of estate vineyards with the dual goals of producing the highest-quality, most elegant wines we can while caring for our estate for future generations. The winery produces critically acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The 2016 Reserve Cabernet was ranked No. 4 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2019 list.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.